Will Boeing’s Starliner Mission Have a Safe Return to Earth?
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is set to make its undocking attempt on Friday evening, marking the end of its troubled first crewed mission. While NASA officials express confidence in a safe return, the mission will be completed without any humans on board. This article will delve into the journey of the Starliner, the technical problems it faced, and what lies ahead for Boeing.
Technical Issues and Extended Mission Duration
The first crewed mission for the Starliner encountered multiple technical problems. Issues with the spacecraft’s thrusters and helium leaks in the propulsion systems arose just before its attempted docking with the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6. Despite these challenges, the two astronauts on board, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, were able to safely board the ISS.
However, the anomalies led to an extension of the mission as NASA and Boeing engineers worked to determine the root cause of the problems. After weeks of ground and on-orbit testing, NASA decided on August 24 that the Starliner should return to Earth uncrewed. Wilmore and Williams will now come home using a SpaceX capsule in February 2025.
The Breakout Burn and Deorbit Maneuver
During the return trip, the Starliner will perform a “breakout burn” to quickly move away from the ISS. This maneuver consists of 12 small burns, each with an orbital velocity of just 0.1 meter per second. It aims to get the spacecraft away from the station faster, with fewer variables to consider since there are no crew members on board.
The next critical maneuver will be the 60-second deorbit burn, which will guide the Starliner into Earth’s atmosphere and towards the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. The spacecraft will deploy parachutes and airbags to ensure a soft landing on the ground.
Certification and Future Plans
Following the mission, NASA and Boeing will conduct post-flight analysis of the spacecraft’s performance. Modifications to the system or additional testing will be considered to fully certify the vehicle for future missions. However, the path to certification and the potential costs for Boeing remain unclear. The company has already incurred expenses exceeding $1.5 billion related to the Starliner program.
It is also uncertain whether Boeing will need to perform another crewed test mission. The joint flight control team of NASA and Boeing will decide whether to proceed with the undocking on Friday, but there are alternative opportunities in the coming days if necessary. Temporary seats have been installed in the SpaceX Dragon vehicle currently attached to the ISS for emergency use.
Conclusion
Boeing’s Starliner mission has faced numerous challenges, causing delays and modifications to the original plans. While the spacecraft’s return to Earth is expected to be safe, its performance issues have raised questions about certification and future missions. Both NASA and Boeing will continue to analyze the data and collaborate on potential modifications to ensure the Starliner’s success as a regular transporter to and from the ISS.
